Pontos is a name that most of us over a certain age remember. At least vaguely… It is not Portos of the Three Musketeers, it is not Ponte, from the Florentine Ponte Vecchio – it is simple Pontos, a collection that Maurice Lacroix has since some ages. We have a look today at one of my favourite models, the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Limited Edition and another new non-limited version.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date
My first encounter with the Day-Date was somewhere in the 2000s. I was simply fascinated by the display position of said complications. I was so impressed by it that I also bought one in 2012/2013, on a metal bracelet. I loved that watch a lot and still have fond memories. The first Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date was launched in 2000 in it was more or less present in the brand’s offering since.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Limited Edition Ref. PT6358-DLB04-630-5
The end of August’s launched Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Limited Edition comes in a stealthy combination of khaki and black. This 1000 pieces series promises a restrained appearance for a watch created with no gender in mind. Truth is, the clever ergonomics and subtle crown with elongated crown protection makes it a comfortable wrist companion. At only 11mm in height, the 41mm in diameter case is a subtle presence on the wrist. The dark green nylon with the mandatory black M logo features an easy-change system that makes it versatile for the modern urban explorer.
The pictures are lying! (sort of…)
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Limited Edition is a combo of khaki and black. While the black DLC case is fairly correct represented in pictures, the dark khaki is not. The combination of the flashes, camera colour science and manipulation in Lightroom does not reveal the colour one might see in the sunlight. But they are not 100% lying… In various conditions, the Pontos Day Date Limited Edition plays with the light from dark grey to light khaki.
The dial is nicely contrasting the dark shades between them. The white printing, the luminous dots and the luminous hands insert offer good legibility in all light conditions. Although the luminescent is not something I describe as very bright, it offers a good presence, according to the dark theme.
The dial offers nice details that denote a lot of thoughts and a practical thinking process. Combining modern aesthetics with a nice architecture, the dial will impress you. The day is present on the top of the dial, just under the applied logo and printed name. The date is revealed through a chamfered aperture in the lower part of the dial – just as expected for this model.
The black DLC caseback reveals is in big contrast to the automatic calibre ML143. Based on the robust Selita SW200, the movement with be well visible in this black case. Although not a spectacular finished calibre, the good looks are appropriate for its price class.
Handling and wrist behaviour
The Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Limited Edition is a rather elegant piece. Despite the sporty look, it is undeniable elegant. With a change of strap, the watch can easily join you to a more serious attire. But I really enjoy the canvas strap and with its 100m water resistance, the watch can join you in more wild experiences and adventures.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Ref. PT6358-SS004-431-4
The new non-limited edition of the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date comes with blue accents. This time, the case is in clean steel. As a difference to the black DLC version, one can note the beautiful contrast of case finishes (matt and polish). The details are virtually the same and represent the aesthetic state of the collection. And that is a good thing since it looks great.
For the lovers of blue
This time, the colours are more appropriate to what you will notice in normal light conditions. The same sunray pattern found on the dial is much more forgiving in the blue shade for photographing and it is a lovely spark in sunlight.
We found here a combination of metal silvery applied indexes with black-on-white printing for complications. A good-looking and kind of logical set of choices. Maurice Lacroix is one of the brands that offer an extensive range of variations in the collection with a good selection of colours for dials, indicators, complications etc They do not cheap out and take care that the watches have the best combo possible.
As the collection has lived until now, the date is again included in the lower side of the indexes’ circle in a very subtle and pleasant way. The top day’s display occupies a logical place on the dial. This layout is given by the position of the date’ and day’s discs on the top of the movement. I find this display an elegant solution for this unavoidable technical detail.
Other details
On the clean steel versions, the calibre ML143 is not so much highlighted as in the black DLC case but it is a natural presence. The movement beats at 4Hz, offering 38 hours of power reserve.
What I didn’t mention is the butterfly folding clasp with a push-release system. The canvas straps with leather inner side offer excellent comfort and can be changed in minutes with an alligator strap or even a metal bracelet.
Just like on the limited edition, the neutral design makes it perfect for any wearer that simply likes the design without being catalogued as a lady or gents watch. And frankly, I find the discussion of gender in watches utterly nonsense. Just wear what you like.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date – final words
Maurice Lacroix entertains a great collection with various new launches. The state of the actual collection is still limited and we might expect to see new colour combinations in the Day/Date section in the future. The latest released pieces bring new nice faces that could be interesting for old and new collectors. I find the Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date an excellent choice for a single-piece collection where the wearer wants to benefit from the easy-change strap system, or as an additional set of complications for a daily beater to be loved. Overall, an excellent proposal from Maurice Lacroix.
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Limited Edition Ref. PT6358-DLB04-630-5 Technical Specifications
Ref. PT6358-DLB04-630-5 – CHF 2,080.00 Incl. VAT
Movement
- Automatic ML143
- Functions:
- Hours, minutes and seconds; day and date black/white
- Date at 6 o’clock
- Day at 12 o’clock
- Decorations:
- Circular-graining and Côtes de Genève.
- Vertical Côtes de Genève and sun-brushed finish on rotor.
- Rhodium-plated.
Case
- 41mm
- Black DLC Stainless Steel
- Water resistance to 10 ATM
Dial
- Dark green sunray
- Black sandblasted ring and white printing
Strap
- Dark green nylon
- Easy-change system
- Black PVD butterfly buckle
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Ref. PT6358-SS004-431-4 Technical Specifications
Ref. PT6358-SS004-431-4 – CHF 1,700.00 Incl. VAT
Movement
- Automatic ML143
- Functions:
- Hours, minutes and seconds; day and date black/white
- Date at 6 o’clock
- Day at 12 o’clock
- Decorations:
- Circular-graining and Côtes de Genève.
- Vertical Côtes de Genève and sun-brushed finish on rotor.
- Rhodium-plated.
Case
- 41mm
- Black DLC Stainless Steel
- Water resistance to 10 ATM
Dial
- Dark green sunray
- Black sandblasted ring and white printing
Strap
- Dark green nylon
- Easy-change system
- Black PVD butterfly buckle
Maurice Lacroix Pontos Day Date Gallery
THE MAURICE LACROIX STORY
For more than 40 years, Maurice Lacroix watches have been manufactured in the company’s own state-of the-art workshops in Saignelégier.
When Desco von Schulthess Company, an internationally operating company, launched its first watch models under the name Maurice Lacroix in 1975, it was able to draw on its long experience and know-how in this industry. Founded in 1889 in Zürich, the company was, since 1946, the precious link between wellknown Swiss watch brands and the rest of the world, especially the Far East.
In the early 1960s, the parent company of Maurice Lacroix purchased a watch assembly factory in Saignelégier. Here, in the heart of the Swiss Jura mountains, high-quality timepieces were produced for several name brands of watches, which carried their private label signatures on dial, case, and movement. Thanks to its know-how gained from decades of building high-quality watches, it was only a small step for Desco von Schulthess to create its own brand, Maurice Lacroix.
Since then, Maurice Lacroix’s journey is marked by important milestones.